BACKGROUND Occludin and claudins are integral constituents of tight junction proteins and are de-regulated in various malignancies, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study investigated whether expression of claudins 1, 4, 5, 7 and occludin may be used as prognostic markers for overall and disease-free survival in patients with HCC after hepatectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study...

The effects of physiologically relevant increase in temperature (37-41 degrees C) on intestinal epithelial tight junction (TJ) barrier have not been previously studied. Additionally, the role of heat-shock proteins (HSPs) in the regulation of intestinal TJ barrier during heat stress remains unknown. Because heat-induced disturbance of intestinal TJ barrier could lead to endotoxemia and bacteria...

We examined the expression of tight junction (TJ) proteins in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and spinal cord of fetuses after maternal treatment with single and multiple courses of dexamethasone. Ewes received either single courses of four 6-mg dexamethasone or placebo injections every 12 h for 48 h between 104 and 107 days or the same treatment once a week between 76-78 and 104-107 days of g...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Complications due to brain edema and breakdown of blood brain barrier are an important factor affecting the treatment effects of patients with severe carotid stenosis. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of ischemic postconditioning on brain edema and disruption of blood brain barrier via establishing rat model of hypoperfusion due to severe carotid sten...

BACKGROUND Small intestine permeability is frequently altered in inflammatory bowel disease and may be caused by the translocation of intestinal toxins through leaky small intestine tight junctions (TJ) and adherence (1,2). The role of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and nitric oxide (NO) and PARS in the permeability and structure of small intestine TJ is not clearly understood. MATERIALS AND METHO...

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterised by chronic, relapsing, idiopathic, and multifactorial colon inflammation. Recent evidence suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction plays a critical role in the onset recurrence of this disease. Previous reports highlighted potential short-chain quinones (SCQs) for treatment due to their reversible redox characteristics. We hypothesised recently described ...

There is a growing need for novel in vitro corneal models to replace animal-based ex vivo tests drug permeability studies. In this study, we demonstrated mimetic that the stromal and epithelial compartments of human cornea. Human cells (HCE-T) were grown on top self-supporting porcine collagen-based hydrogel. Cross-sections multi-layers characterized by histological staining immunocytochemistry...